Pages

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Four corners of the continental U.S. This August, I visited my final corner - the northwesternmost: Cape Flattery in the state of Washington. It just takes several hours to drive to that point from where we live. Wonders next door - how often we miss them!
By the way, Seattle Garden Flingers-2011, you were just about three hours away from this place when you visited Dragonfly Farms!

That is the Makah Nation territory on the Olympic Peninsula. The Strait of Juan De Fuca joins Pacific Ocean here.
This is the forest you need to go through to reach the Cape.

Enchanted woods...

We saw a sign warning about a cougar, and a bear had been seen here recently. Grr!!!

The trail is well equipped with boardwalks, stairs and viewing platforms. Before they were built by the Makah people, travelers needed to walk 3/4 of a mile through mud, debris and huge protruding tree roots.

This is my first look at the water:

It took my breath away:

I love the wilderness. I love all types of it. I admire warm sea, exotics, palm trees and orchids. I love Florida, Hawaii and other gorgeous places. Their beauty is relaxing, gentle and comforting. The beauty of Cape Flattery is calmless, dramatic, striking, poignant. It awakes all senses and emotions in me. It's close to my heart. It's more resonant with my life.

What will we see from this point?

Huge seastacks remind me of giant feet. Deep caves make me think about the power of nature.

Strong currents, winds and frequent storms erode the stone. They say that some cliffs where we stood might disappear in several hundred years.

Again, don't you think it looks like giant feet?

In the next picture is Tatoosh Island with its lighthouse. It's named after one of the chiefs. It used to be a base for Indian fishermen and hunters, then for the coastguard. Now, it's inhibited by sea lions, birds and seals.

The Makah Indians were known as great fishermen and whale- and seal hunters. From the Cape, their ancestors witnessed the arrival of the first European expeditions.

Captain James Cook, the British explorer, gave the Cape its name in 1778.

The color of the water hypnotises me.

Look at these branches: they have hundreds of cones:

Spruce, firs, ciders are amazing here. The area gets more than a hundred of inches of rain annually (250 cm)!

I love these trunks with a turquoise hue:

What does the tree with a girl in front of it remind you of? Interesting shape, isn't it?

Little things are as interesting as big ones:

A new life on the ruins of an old one:

Cape Flattery on the map. Vancouver Island of Canada is seen over the Strait of Juan De Fuca:

The Washington state coast is not as developed as, let's say, the Oregon coast. There are not many places for travelers to eat and sleep. Maybe, that is why it's not crowdy here. The traffic was very light. Often, we found ourselves alone on spectacular beaches and trails. We loved it.
There are yet wilderness oasises where you can bond one on one with ancient trees, empty shores and breathtaking beauty.
Photographs are a pitiful replica of the true reality. But, anyway, thanks to them for the wonderful memories.

You've been all over the place Tatyana, and while Germany, Europe, etc. has been beautiful, this place and these photos are truely stunning, staggering and indeed, breath taking. I'm planning a visit NOW because of these photos alone. WOW. Thanks for sharing.

So rugged and beautiful Tatyana. I would have loved to walk there. The water is such a beautiful green. It always amazes me that nature finds a way. Trees and ferns growing on rocks and cliff where there is little dirt and they stands up to the elements.

That scenery is amazing... I love the Danish landscape with its soft, rolling fields, but perhaps because that's what I grew up with, I'm very much drawn to dramatic scenery like in your pictures. I want to go...

This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen...and mostly nature-made. There is majesty and mystery in these places. I am very glad you post the photos very large so we can see the full view of these lovely spots.

Spectacular! Yeah, this definitely makes me want to take a trip to the Pacific Northwest! I love the way you combine grand scenic landscapes with eye-popping macros. I'm so glad I stopped by for this excellent post!

I love seeing landscapes like these, untainted wilderness, but when you are there maybe it looks scary too! I envy the structures there to facilitate walking and trekking. It might also be nice to have a fishing rod with you and just sit on one promontory. I can easily be lost in mind and body in those kind of surroundings. Your photos do justice to them and even magnify its beauty. Thanks for the tour.

Dear Tatyana, you have transported me to an enchanted forest and to the land of Big Feet! I love the rocky coastline and the vivid colors of the water. I love the ancient trees and the thick moss. I love the ferns and the fungus. I am on the opposite corner of the country, but part of my heart belongs to the Pacific Northwest! Thank you for sharing your trip with us.

I too love the temperate rain forest.Lake Quinault is one of my favorite places in the world. It fills my soul when I am there.Thank you for the lovely reminder of the marvelous Pacific Northwest...she is lovely in her wild dress.Sherry